Hon'ne VOL.01

VOL .01 MARCH 2015

START FROM LAYERSVOL .01 MARCH 2015

HONNE MAGAZINE

EDITORIAL DIRECTORSavia Chan

CREATIVE DIRECTORDani Chong

ART DIRECTORSavia ChanNayoung Lim

PHOTOGRAPHERSavia Chan

STYLIST Nayoung Lim

MAKEUP & HAIRIvy Law

CHINESE EDITORDani Chong

ENGLISH EDITORCliff Wu

INTERVIEWERSavia Chan

GRAPHIC DESIGNERDani Chong

CONTRIBUTORJoe KwanNelson ChanSavia ChanVincent ChanMiss CajMr. BoyBoy

SPECIAL THANKS TO

BerayahSumyu LiTrypophobiaYeonje ChoiLee LamShen Lim

DIRECTORSNOTE

HonneWhat a person truly believes; the behaviour and opinions which are often kept hidden and only displayed with one's closest confidants.

Honne

Hon'ne [email protected]

Honne is the romanised form of the Japanese word which means: What a person truly believes; the behaviour and opinions which are often kept hidden and only displayed with one's closest confidants. My attraction towards this word originates from the homely feeling I get from it. To quote a designer friend of ours, the word evokes the sense of Hearts desire for Home Coming. Home is a place that allows us to relax, be oneself and where the real me truly emerges.

During my interview with graphic designer Dani Chong, she talks about her idea of a relationship between music and creativ-ity. She concisely described in vivid detail how listening to different types of music would spawn a different mood. She playfully quipped, Rock & roll is like running naked on a prairie. This is definitely the defining moment of Honnes inaugural issue. Then there is Joe Kwan, a graphic and object designer. He shed an intimate light on his creative philosophy and attitude in life on how being habitual is stifling. Only through embracing curiosity would we be able to conquer the highest mountains and deepest seas searching for those moments of joy in life, discovering and preserving the inherent beauty in things allow us to find our true self in creativity.

Im sure these interviews can bring some inspiration to us all and especially to those in need of a creative spark right now. We hope the inauguration of this magazine will bring together some like-minded friends and create a platform to publish their works and share their thoughts.

Hon'ne is a quarterly magazine on fashion and culture. For submissions, please contact [email protected]

HONNE MAGAZINE

Savia ChanEDITORIAL DIRECTOR

COVER STORY

NOT ALL THOSE WHO WANDER ARE LOST...

ART DIRECTORSavia Chan & Nayoung Lim

Photographer: Savia ChanStylist: Nayoung LimModel: Veronika M @ Mission Models HKClothing: Sumyu LiHat: Yeonje Choi

dream jobWhat was your dream job as a kid? Is it true that you have been interested in graphic design since a young age?

dream job

Ha! I never dared to think of having a dream job as a child. I only knew that I didnt want to become a doctor, lawyer or businesswoman, but obviously I couldnt say this to an adult for fear of being lectured. I was only interested in creative works and animals. My first artistic exposure was music. Then came literature and film. It probably wasnt until high school before I fully understood the differences between art and design.

/With regards to your work, which portion or aspect do you enjoy most?

Finding that story about my subjects. Whether its a person, a product, or a brand... Even inanimate objects have stories behind them. All you need to do is find them and Ill use my own way to interpret them.

What would you do if a client requests for something thats not your style?

Unlike art, commercial design must cater to the subjects needs. I always stamp my style on the first draft. First drafts are always the best version for me. But I always follow that up with one that the subject wants, and another that is kind of an in-between. Art is about self-expression but commercial design is more about finding the right balance.

/Do you have a favourite artist or a particular piece of work that has had a profound influence on you?

Frida KahloBill Evans

Where do I begin? There are so many especially when you look around the world or even in terms of a particular period. My first lasting impact was probably Frida Kahlo. She made me think about the need for us to create. Bill Evans was another eye-opener for me and turned my world upside down later in life. I grew up as a classically-trained pianist, but I always felt classical music was pretty repressive and jazz cant be any further away on that scale. Id say pop music was my first taste of freedom. Rock & roll is like running naked on a prairie. Jazz can sweep me off the planet and electronica is my Space Odyssey.

Does music help you get into a creative mode more easily? If so, would you put on different music for different projects?

music playlist10Miles DavisKind Of Blue10NirvanaMTV Unplugged in New YorkThom Yorke

Music is a part of everyday life and my music playlist is set up according to my mood. I could have Miles Davis "Kind Of Blue" on repeat 10 times when Im happy. Angry times could be a 10 times repeat of Nirvanas "MTV Unplugged in New York" and Ill get Thom Yorke to take me to the moon when I am very tired.

?You love movies. So what is it that fascinates you so much about movies?

...... Birdmanimdb21Grams,Biutiful,Babel Birdmanspicy man50Alejandro Irritu

The most important element of a film is content. Films are different people telling stories in their own way. A good script is important too, then you need actors/actress, cinematography, visual and art direction, soundtrack, editing Telling a story in two hours is not an easy thing to do. I like to watch movies because I really enjoyed spending two hours experiencing someone elses life. I recently watched Birdman and when I was leaving the cinema, my other half was reading out Alejan-dro Irritus imdb page naming off 21grams, Biutiful, Babel... These were all my kind of films - heavy and depressing. In contrast, Birdman has an added element of humour. We watched an interview with Irritu when we got back where he said he was a spicy man, and now being a middle-aged 50 year old man, it's time for some dessert. I had an epiphany as long as one is still breathing, there is always a chance to change.

FilmspirationAbout Filmspiration, why did you choose those film posters to redesign?

Filmspiration

I had a period of very exhausting work and watching a film was a good way to treat myself when I got home. The Filmspira-tion posters were something I decided to do on a whim as a kind of self therapy. I really didnt spend too much time on it. There was no pressure to deliver and no one elses opinion to consider. It helped me to rediscover my joy of being creative again.

In general, where do you get your inspiration from?

Descartes

I think, therefore I am. to quote Descartes. Ideas will come to you when you have enough understanding about things.

"Memes & Friends"You recently set up a new studio Memes & Friends, can you tell me the idea behind this?

MemesMeme Richard Dawkins 1976The Selfish GeneMemeMeme

On the way home after attending a funeral one day, my other half said when the physical body dies, the person leaves behind memes that can be passed on by others. The word meme was coinded by Richard Dawkins, a British evolutionary biologist, animal behaviorists and science writer, in his 1976 book The Selfish Gene. A meme is an idea, behavior, or style that spreads from person to person within a culture. A meme acts as a unit for carrying cultural ideas, symbols, or practices that can be transmitted from one mind to another through writing, speech, gestures, rituals, or other imitable phenomena with a mimicked theme. Our lives all begin unknowingly as we arrived on this planet. We each interpret life in our unique way before life itself passes us. Our cosmopolitian lifestyle demands efficiency and professionalism, and as a result people have learned to cope with living under the stresses it brings while sacrificing some form of happiness. The sacrifices we make in order to fulfill our roles in this society are not justly rewarded. Regardless of your efforts, youre no match against the climb of housing prices in Hong Kong. Youre forced to live against a set of standards that might not be yours. So I had the idea of starting a space that is my own - a place that is right and brings joy. Work consumes a big part of our daily lives, and being creative brings me joy. A happy life requires us to cherish ourselves, to know one self, be kind and to like one self.

"Memes & Friends"?What kind of projects will Memes & Friends launch

Memes & FriendsprojectsMemes & FriendsFriends of Memes

Memes & Friends will for the time being focus on projects that have elements of design and self-help. We hope to share our joy from being creative through projects that explore issues related to living and life. Having a purpose in life requires us to learn how to understand and love ourselves. Alongside Memes & Friends, we have also established Friends of Memes, which will collaborate with creative minds from different backgrounds on various projects, products and exhibitions.

Do you agree with the saying artistic creation is lonely?

Artistic creation doesnt have to be lonely, but the creative process often is. Even if you are working within a creative team, you still need to focus on your own responsibilities. I think being completely focused is very close to loneliness.

dream jobWhat was your dream job as a kid? Is it true that you have been interested in graphic design since a young age?

dream job

Ha! I never dared to think of having a dream job as a child. I only knew that I didnt want to become a doctor, lawyer or businesswoman, but obviously I couldnt say this to an adult for fear of being lectured. I was only interested in creative works and animals. My first artistic exposure was music. Then came literature and film. It probably wasnt until high school before I fully understood the differences between art and design.

/With regards to your work, which portion or aspect do you enjoy most?

Finding that story about my subjects. Whether its a person, a product, or a brand... Even inanimate objects have stories behind them. All you need to do is find them and Ill use my own way to interpret them.

What would you do if a client requests for something thats not your style?

Unlike art, commercial design must cater to the subjects needs. I always stamp my style on the first draft. First drafts are always the best version for me. But I always follow that up with one that the subject wants, and another that is kind of an in-between. Art is about self-expression but commercial design is more about finding the right balance.

/Do you have a favourite artist or a particular piece of work that has had a profound influence on you?

Frida KahloBill Evans

Where do I begin? There are so many especially when you look around the world or even in terms of a particular period. My first lasting impact was probably Frida Kahlo. She made me think about the need for us to create. Bill Evans was another eye-opener for me and turned my world upside down later in life. I grew up as a classically-trained pianist, but I always felt classical music was pretty repressive and jazz cant be any further away on that scale. Id say pop music was my first taste of freedom. Rock & roll is like running naked on a prairie. Jazz can sweep me off the planet and electronica is my Space Odyssey.

Does music help you get into a creative mode more easily? If so, would you put on different music for different projects?

music playlist10Miles DavisKind Of Blue10NirvanaMTV Unplugged in New YorkThom Yorke

Music is a part of everyday life and my music playlist is set up according to my mood. I could have Miles Davis "Kind Of Blue" on repeat 10 times when Im happy. Angry times could be a 10 times repeat of Nirvanas "MTV Unplugged in New York" and Ill get Thom Yorke to take me to the moon when I am very tired.

?You love movies. So what is it that fascinates you so much about movies?

...... Birdmanimdb21Grams,Biutiful,Babel Birdmanspicy man50Alejandro Irritu

The most important element of a film is content. Films are different people telling stories in their own way. A good script is important too, then you need actors/actress, cinematography, visual and art direction, soundtrack, editing Telling a story in two hours is not an easy thing to do. I like to watch movies because I really enjoyed spending two hours experiencing someone elses life. I recently watched Birdman and when I was leaving the cinema, my other half was reading out Alejan-dro Irritus imdb page naming off 21grams, Biutiful, Babel... These were all my kind of films - heavy and depressing. In contrast, Birdman has an added element of humour. We watched an interview with Irritu when we got back where he said he was a spicy man, and now being a middle-aged 50 year old man, it's time for some dessert. I had an epiphany as long as one is still breathing, there is always a chance to change.

FilmspirationAbout Filmspiration, why did you choose those film posters to redesign?

Filmspiration

I had a period of very exhausting work and watching a film was a good way to treat myself when I got home. The Filmspira-tion posters were something I decided to do on a whim as a kind of self therapy. I really didnt spend too much time on it. There was no pressure to deliver and no one elses opinion to consider. It helped me to rediscover my joy of being creative again.

In general, where do you get your inspiration from?

Descartes

I think, therefore I am. to quote Descartes. Ideas will come to you when you have enough understanding about things.

"Memes & Friends"You recently set up a new studio Memes & Friends, can you tell me the idea behind this?

MemesMeme Richard Dawkins 1976The Selfish GeneMemeMeme

On the way home after attending a funeral one day, my other half said when the physical body dies, the person leaves behind memes that can be passed on by others. The word meme was coinded by Richard Dawkins, a British evolutionary biologist, animal behaviorists and science writer, in his 1976 book The Selfish Gene. A meme is an idea, behavior, or style that spreads from person to person within a culture. A meme acts as a unit for carrying cultural ideas, symbols, or practices that can be transmitted from one mind to another through writing, speech, gestures, rituals, or other imitable phenomena with a mimicked theme. Our lives all begin unknowingly as we arrived on this planet. We each interpret life in our unique way before life itself passes us. Our cosmopolitian lifestyle demands efficiency and professionalism, and as a result people have learned to cope with living under the stresses it brings while sacrificing some form of happiness. The sacrifices we make in order to fulfill our roles in this society are not justly rewarded. Regardless of your efforts, youre no match against the climb of housing prices in Hong Kong. Youre forced to live against a set of standards that might not be yours. So I had the idea of starting a space that is my own - a place that is right and brings joy. Work consumes a big part of our daily lives, and being creative brings me joy. A happy life requires us to cherish ourselves, to know one self, be kind and to like one self.

"Memes & Friends"?What kind of projects will Memes & Friends launch

Memes & FriendsprojectsMemes & FriendsFriends of Memes

Memes & Friends will for the time being focus on projects that have elements of design and self-help. We hope to share our joy from being creative through projects that explore issues related to living and life. Having a purpose in life requires us to learn how to understand and love ourselves. Alongside Memes & Friends, we have also established Friends of Memes, which will collaborate with creative minds from different backgrounds on various projects, products and exhibitions.

Do you agree with the saying artistic creation is lonely?

Artistic creation doesnt have to be lonely, but the creative process often is. Even if you are working within a creative team, you still need to focus on your own responsibilities. I think being completely focused is very close to loneliness.

dream jobWhat was your dream job as a kid? Is it true that you have been interested in graphic design since a young age?

dream job

Ha! I never dared to think of having a dream job as a child. I only knew that I didnt want to become a doctor, lawyer or businesswoman, but obviously I couldnt say this to an adult for fear of being lectured. I was only interested in creative works and animals. My first artistic exposure was music. Then came literature and film. It probably wasnt until high school before I fully understood the differences between art and design.

/With regards to your work, which portion or aspect do you enjoy most?

Finding that story about my subjects. Whether its a person, a product, or a brand... Even inanimate objects have stories behind them. All you need to do is find them and Ill use my own way to interpret them.

What would you do if a client requests for something thats not your style?

Unlike art, commercial design must cater to the subjects needs. I always stamp my style on the first draft. First drafts are always the best version for me. But I always follow that up with one that the subject wants, and another that is kind of an in-between. Art is about self-expression but commercial design is more about finding the right balance.

/Do you have a favourite artist or a particular piece of work that has had a profound influence on you?

Frida KahloBill Evans

Where do I begin? There are so many especially when you look around the world or even in terms of a particular period. My first lasting impact was probably Frida Kahlo. She made me think about the need for us to create. Bill Evans was another eye-opener for me and turned my world upside down later in life. I grew up as a classically-trained pianist, but I always felt classical music was pretty repressive and jazz cant be any further away on that scale. Id say pop music was my first taste of freedom. Rock & roll is like running naked on a prairie. Jazz can sweep me off the planet and electronica is my Space Odyssey.

Does music help you get into a creative mode more easily? If so, would you put on different music for different projects?

music playlist10Miles DavisKind Of Blue10NirvanaMTV Unplugged in New YorkThom Yorke

Music is a part of everyday life and my music playlist is set up according to my mood. I could have Miles Davis "Kind Of Blue" on repeat 10 times when Im happy. Angry times could be a 10 times repeat of Nirvanas "MTV Unplugged in New York" and Ill get Thom Yorke to take me to the moon when I am very tired.

?You love movies. So what is it that fascinates you so much about movies?

...... Birdmanimdb21Grams,Biutiful,Babel Birdmanspicy man50Alejandro Irritu

The most important element of a film is content. Films are different people telling stories in their own way. A good script is important too, then you need actors/actress, cinematography, visual and art direction, soundtrack, editing Telling a story in two hours is not an easy thing to do. I like to watch movies because I really enjoyed spending two hours experiencing someone elses life. I recently watched Birdman and when I was leaving the cinema, my other half was reading out Alejan-dro Irritus imdb page naming off 21grams, Biutiful, Babel... These were all my kind of films - heavy and depressing. In contrast, Birdman has an added element of humour. We watched an interview with Irritu when we got back where he said he was a spicy man, and now being a middle-aged 50 year old man, it's time for some dessert. I had an epiphany as long as one is still breathing, there is always a chance to change.

FilmspirationAbout Filmspiration, why did you choose those film posters to redesign?

Filmspiration

I had a period of very exhausting work and watching a film was a good way to treat myself when I got home. The Filmspira-tion posters were something I decided to do on a whim as a kind of self therapy. I really didnt spend too much time on it. There was no pressure to deliver and no one elses opinion to consider. It helped me to rediscover my joy of being creative again.

In general, where do you get your inspiration from?

Descartes

I think, therefore I am. to quote Descartes. Ideas will come to you when you have enough understanding about things.

"Memes & Friends"You recently set up a new studio Memes & Friends, can you tell me the idea behind this?

MemesMeme Richard Dawkins 1976The Selfish GeneMemeMeme

On the way home after attending a funeral one day, my other half said when the physical body dies, the person leaves behind memes that can be passed on by others. The word meme was coinded by Richard Dawkins, a British evolutionary biologist, animal behaviorists and science writer, in his 1976 book The Selfish Gene. A meme is an idea, behavior, or style that spreads from person to person within a culture. A meme acts as a unit for carrying cultural ideas, symbols, or practices that can be transmitted from one mind to another through writing, speech, gestures, rituals, or other imitable phenomena with a mimicked theme. Our lives all begin unknowingly as we arrived on this planet. We each interpret life in our unique way before life itself passes us. Our cosmopolitian lifestyle demands efficiency and professionalism, and as a result people have learned to cope with living under the stresses it brings while sacrificing some form of happiness. The sacrifices we make in order to fulfill our roles in this society are not justly rewarded. Regardless of your efforts, youre no match against the climb of housing prices in Hong Kong. Youre forced to live against a set of standards that might not be yours. So I had the idea of starting a space that is my own - a place that is right and brings joy. Work consumes a big part of our daily lives, and being creative brings me joy. A happy life requires us to cherish ourselves, to know one self, be kind and to like one self.

"Memes & Friends"?What kind of projects will Memes & Friends launch

Memes & FriendsprojectsMemes & FriendsFriends of Memes

Memes & Friends will for the time being focus on projects that have elements of design and self-help. We hope to share our joy from being creative through projects that explore issues related to living and life. Having a purpose in life requires us to learn how to understand and love ourselves. Alongside Memes & Friends, we have also established Friends of Memes, which will collaborate with creative minds from different backgrounds on various projects, products and exhibitions.

Do you agree with the saying artistic creation is lonely?

Artistic creation doesnt have to be lonely, but the creative process often is. Even if you are working within a creative team, you still need to focus on your own responsibilities. I think being completely focused is very close to loneliness.

dream jobWhat was your dream job as a kid? Is it true that you have been interested in graphic design since a young age?

dream job

Ha! I never dared to think of having a dream job as a child. I only knew that I didnt want to become a doctor, lawyer or businesswoman, but obviously I couldnt say this to an adult for fear of being lectured. I was only interested in creative works and animals. My first artistic exposure was music. Then came literature and film. It probably wasnt until high school before I fully understood the differences between art and design.

/With regards to your work, which portion or aspect do you enjoy most?

Finding that story about my subjects. Whether its a person, a product, or a brand... Even inanimate objects have stories behind them. All you need to do is find them and Ill use my own way to interpret them.

What would you do if a client requests for something thats not your style?

Unlike art, commercial design must cater to the subjects needs. I always stamp my style on the first draft. First drafts are always the best version for me. But I always follow that up with one that the subject wants, and another that is kind of an in-between. Art is about self-expression but commercial design is more about finding the right balance.

/Do you have a favourite artist or a particular piece of work that has had a profound influence on you?

Frida KahloBill Evans

Where do I begin? There are so many especially when you look around the world or even in terms of a particular period. My first lasting impact was probably Frida Kahlo. She made me think about the need for us to create. Bill Evans was another eye-opener for me and turned my world upside down later in life. I grew up as a classically-trained pianist, but I always felt classical music was pretty repressive and jazz cant be any further away on that scale. Id say pop music was my first taste of freedom. Rock & roll is like running naked on a prairie. Jazz can sweep me off the planet and electronica is my Space Odyssey.

Does music help you get into a creative mode more easily? If so, would you put on different music for different projects?

music playlist10Miles DavisKind Of Blue10NirvanaMTV Unplugged in New YorkThom Yorke

Music is a part of everyday life and my music playlist is set up according to my mood. I could have Miles Davis "Kind Of Blue" on repeat 10 times when Im happy. Angry times could be a 10 times repeat of Nirvanas "MTV Unplugged in New York" and Ill get Thom Yorke to take me to the moon when I am very tired.

?You love movies. So what is it that fascinates you so much about movies?

...... Birdmanimdb21Grams,Biutiful,Babel Birdmanspicy man50Alejandro Irritu

The most important element of a film is content. Films are different people telling stories in their own way. A good script is important too, then you need actors/actress, cinematography, visual and art direction, soundtrack, editing Telling a story in two hours is not an easy thing to do. I like to watch movies because I really enjoyed spending two hours experiencing someone elses life. I recently watched Birdman and when I was leaving the cinema, my other half was reading out Alejan-dro Irritus imdb page naming off 21grams, Biutiful, Babel... These were all my kind of films - heavy and depressing. In contrast, Birdman has an added element of humour. We watched an interview with Irritu when we got back where he said he was a spicy man, and now being a middle-aged 50 year old man, it's time for some dessert. I had an epiphany as long as one is still breathing, there is always a chance to change.

FilmspirationAbout Filmspiration, why did you choose those film posters to redesign?

Filmspiration

I had a period of very exhausting work and watching a film was a good way to treat myself when I got home. The Filmspira-tion posters were something I decided to do on a whim as a kind of self therapy. I really didnt spend too much time on it. There was no pressure to deliver and no one elses opinion to consider. It helped me to rediscover my joy of being creative again.

In general, where do you get your inspiration from?

Descartes

I think, therefore I am. to quote Descartes. Ideas will come to you when you have enough understanding about things.

"Memes & Friends"You recently set up a new studio Memes & Friends, can you tell me the idea behind this?

MemesMeme Richard Dawkins 1976The Selfish GeneMemeMeme

On the way home after attending a funeral one day, my other half said when the physical body dies, the person leaves behind memes that can be passed on by others. The word meme was coinded by Richard Dawkins, a British evolutionary biologist, animal behaviorists and science writer, in his 1976 book The Selfish Gene. A meme is an idea, behavior, or style that spreads from person to person within a culture. A meme acts as a unit for carrying cultural ideas, symbols, or practices that can be transmitted from one mind to another through writing, speech, gestures, rituals, or other imitable phenomena with a mimicked theme. Our lives all begin unknowingly as we arrived on this planet. We each interpret life in our unique way before life itself passes us. Our cosmopolitian lifestyle demands efficiency and professionalism, and as a result people have learned to cope with living under the stresses it brings while sacrificing some form of happiness. The sacrifices we make in order to fulfill our roles in this society are not justly rewarded. Regardless of your efforts, youre no match against the climb of housing prices in Hong Kong. Youre forced to live against a set of standards that might not be yours. So I had the idea of starting a space that is my own - a place that is right and brings joy. Work consumes a big part of our daily lives, and being creative brings me joy. A happy life requires us to cherish ourselves, to know one self, be kind and to like one self.

"Memes & Friends"?What kind of projects will Memes & Friends launch

Memes & FriendsprojectsMemes & FriendsFriends of Memes

Memes & Friends will for the time being focus on projects that have elements of design and self-help. We hope to share our joy from being creative through projects that explore issues related to living and life. Having a purpose in life requires us to learn how to understand and love ourselves. Alongside Memes & Friends, we have also established Friends of Memes, which will collaborate with creative minds from different backgrounds on various projects, products and exhibitions.

Do you agree with the saying artistic creation is lonely?

Artistic creation doesnt have to be lonely, but the creative process often is. Even if you are working within a creative team, you still need to focus on your own responsibilities. I think being completely focused is very close to loneliness.

dream jobWhat was your dream job as a kid? Is it true that you have been interested in graphic design since a young age?

dream job

Ha! I never dared to think of having a dream job as a child. I only knew that I didnt want to become a doctor, lawyer or businesswoman, but obviously I couldnt say this to an adult for fear of being lectured. I was only interested in creative works and animals. My first artistic exposure was music. Then came literature and film. It probably wasnt until high school before I fully understood the differences between art and design.

/With regards to your work, which portion or aspect do you enjoy most?

Finding that story about my subjects. Whether its a person, a product, or a brand... Even inanimate objects have stories behind them. All you need to do is find them and Ill use my own way to interpret them.

What would you do if a client requests for something thats not your style?

Unlike art, commercial design must cater to the subjects needs. I always stamp my style on the first draft. First drafts are always the best version for me. But I always follow that up with one that the subject wants, and another that is kind of an in-between. Art is about self-expression but commercial design is more about finding the right balance.

/Do you have a favourite artist or a particular piece of work that has had a profound influence on you?

Frida KahloBill Evans

Where do I begin? There are so many especially when you look around the world or even in terms of a particular period. My first lasting impact was probably Frida Kahlo. She made me think about the need for us to create. Bill Evans was another eye-opener for me and turned my world upside down later in life. I grew up as a classically-trained pianist, but I always felt classical music was pretty repressive and jazz cant be any further away on that scale. Id say pop music was my first taste of freedom. Rock & roll is like running naked on a prairie. Jazz can sweep me off the planet and electronica is my Space Odyssey.

Does music help you get into a creative mode more easily? If so, would you put on different music for different projects?

music playlist10Miles DavisKind Of Blue10NirvanaMTV Unplugged in New YorkThom Yorke

Music is a part of everyday life and my music playlist is set up according to my mood. I could have Miles Davis "Kind Of Blue" on repeat 10 times when Im happy. Angry times could be a 10 times repeat of Nirvanas "MTV Unplugged in New York" and Ill get Thom Yorke to take me to the moon when I am very tired.

?You love movies. So what is it that fascinates you so much about movies?

...... Birdmanimdb21Grams,Biutiful,Babel Birdmanspicy man50Alejandro Irritu

The most important element of a film is content. Films are different people telling stories in their own way. A good script is important too, then you need actors/actress, cinematography, visual and art direction, soundtrack, editing Telling a story in two hours is not an easy thing to do. I like to watch movies because I really enjoyed spending two hours experiencing someone elses life. I recently watched Birdman and when I was leaving the cinema, my other half was reading out Alejan-dro Irritus imdb page naming off 21grams, Biutiful, Babel... These were all my kind of films - heavy and depressing. In contrast, Birdman has an added element of humour. We watched an interview with Irritu when we got back where he said he was a spicy man, and now being a middle-aged 50 year old man, it's time for some dessert. I had an epiphany as long as one is still breathing, there is always a chance to change.

FilmspirationAbout Filmspiration, why did you choose those film posters to redesign?

Filmspiration

I had a period of very exhausting work and watching a film was a good way to treat myself when I got home. The Filmspira-tion posters were something I decided to do on a whim as a kind of self therapy. I really didnt spend too much time on it. There was no pressure to deliver and no one elses opinion to consider. It helped me to rediscover my joy of being creative again.

In general, where do you get your inspiration from?

Descartes

I think, therefore I am. to quote Descartes. Ideas will come to you when you have enough understanding about things.

"Memes & Friends"You recently set up a new studio Memes & Friends, can you tell me the idea behind this?

MemesMeme Richard Dawkins 1976The Selfish GeneMemeMeme

On the way home after attending a funeral one day, my other half said when the physical body dies, the person leaves behind memes that can be passed on by others. The word meme was coinded by Richard Dawkins, a British evolutionary biologist, animal behaviorists and science writer, in his 1976 book The Selfish Gene. A meme is an idea, behavior, or style that spreads from person to person within a culture. A meme acts as a unit for carrying cultural ideas, symbols, or practices that can be transmitted from one mind to another through writing, speech, gestures, rituals, or other imitable phenomena with a mimicked theme. Our lives all begin unknowingly as we arrived on this planet. We each interpret life in our unique way before life itself passes us. Our cosmopolitian lifestyle demands efficiency and professionalism, and as a result people have learned to cope with living under the stresses it brings while sacrificing some form of happiness. The sacrifices we make in order to fulfill our roles in this society are not justly rewarded. Regardless of your efforts, youre no match against the climb of housing prices in Hong Kong. Youre forced to live against a set of standards that might not be yours. So I had the idea of starting a space that is my own - a place that is right and brings joy. Work consumes a big part of our daily lives, and being creative brings me joy. A happy life requires us to cherish ourselves, to know one self, be kind and to like one self.

"Memes & Friends"?What kind of projects will Memes & Friends launch

Memes & FriendsprojectsMemes & FriendsFriends of Memes

Memes & Friends will for the time being focus on projects that have elements of design and self-help. We hope to share our joy from being creative through projects that explore issues related to living and life. Having a purpose in life requires us to learn how to understand and love ourselves. Alongside Memes & Friends, we have also established Friends of Memes, which will collaborate with creative minds from different backgrounds on various projects, products and exhibitions.

Do you agree with the saying artistic creation is lonely?

Artistic creation doesnt have to be lonely, but the creative process often is. Even if you are working within a creative team, you still need to focus on your own responsibilities. I think being completely focused is very close to loneliness.

INTERVIEWDani ChongPhoto / Savia Chan

Honne Magazine / Memes & Friends Mr.BoyBoy

Dani Chong - Hong Kong-based graphics designer, creative director of Honne Magazine / Memes & Friends, and human mother of Mr.BoyBoy.

www.danibunny-hk.com | www.memesandfriends.com

dream jobWhat was your dream job as a kid? Is it true that you have been interested in graphic design since a young age?

dream job

Ha! I never dared to think of having a dream job as a child. I only knew that I didnt want to become a doctor, lawyer or businesswoman, but obviously I couldnt say this to an adult for fear of being lectured. I was only interested in creative works and animals. My first artistic exposure was music. Then came literature and film. It probably wasnt until high school before I fully understood the differences between art and design.

/With regards to your work, which portion or aspect do you enjoy most?

Finding that story about my subjects. Whether its a person, a product, or a brand... Even inanimate objects have stories behind them. All you need to do is find them and Ill use my own way to interpret them.

What would you do if a client requests for something thats not your style?

Unlike art, commercial design must cater to the subjects needs. I always stamp my style on the first draft. First drafts are always the best version for me. But I always follow that up with one that the subject wants, and another that is kind of an in-between. Art is about self-expression but commercial design is more about finding the right balance.

/Do you have a favourite artist or a particular piece of work that has had a profound influence on you?

Frida KahloBill Evans

Where do I begin? There are so many especially when you look around the world or even in terms of a particular period. My first lasting impact was probably Frida Kahlo. She made me think about the need for us to create. Bill Evans was another eye-opener for me and turned my world upside down later in life. I grew up as a classically-trained pianist, but I always felt classical music was pretty repressive and jazz cant be any further away on that scale. Id say pop music was my first taste of freedom. Rock & roll is like running naked on a prairie. Jazz can sweep me off the planet and electronica is my Space Odyssey.

Does music help you get into a creative mode more easily? If so, would you put on different music for different projects?

music playlist10Miles DavisKind Of Blue10NirvanaMTV Unplugged in New YorkThom Yorke

Music is a part of everyday life and my music playlist is set up according to my mood. I could have Miles Davis "Kind Of Blue" on repeat 10 times when Im happy. Angry times could be a 10 times repeat of Nirvanas "MTV Unplugged in New York" and Ill get Thom Yorke to take me to the moon when I am very tired.

?You love movies. So what is it that fascinates you so much about movies?

...... Birdmanimdb21Grams,Biutiful,Babel Birdmanspicy man50Alejandro Irritu

The most important element of a film is content. Films are different people telling stories in their own way. A good script is important too, then you need actors/actress, cinematography, visual and art direction, soundtrack, editing Telling a story in two hours is not an easy thing to do. I like to watch movies because I really enjoyed spending two hours experiencing someone elses life. I recently watched Birdman and when I was leaving the cinema, my other half was reading out Alejan-dro Irritus imdb page naming off 21grams, Biutiful, Babel... These were all my kind of films - heavy and depressing. In contrast, Birdman has an added element of humour. We watched an interview with Irritu when we got back where he said he was a spicy man, and now being a middle-aged 50 year old man, it's time for some dessert. I had an epiphany as long as one is still breathing, there is always a chance to change.

FilmspirationAbout Filmspiration, why did you choose those film posters to redesign?

Filmspiration

I had a period of very exhausting work and watching a film was a good way to treat myself when I got home. The Filmspira-tion posters were something I decided to do on a whim as a kind of self therapy. I really didnt spend too much time on it. There was no pressure to deliver and no one elses opinion to consider. It helped me to rediscover my joy of being creative again.

In general, where do you get your inspiration from?

Descartes

I think, therefore I am. to quote Descartes. Ideas will come to you when you have enough understanding about things.

TRENDS DONT REPRESENT TASTE, BUT TASTE CAN DEFINITELY BRING OUT TRENDS.

FILMSPIRATION

"Memes & Friends"You recently set up a new studio Memes & Friends, can you tell me the idea behind this?

MemesMeme Richard Dawkins 1976The Selfish GeneMemeMeme

On the way home after attending a funeral one day, my other half said when the physical body dies, the person leaves behind memes that can be passed on by others. The word meme was coinded by Richard Dawkins, a British evolutionary biologist, animal behaviorists and science writer, in his 1976 book The Selfish Gene. A meme is an idea, behavior, or style that spreads from person to person within a culture. A meme acts as a unit for carrying cultural ideas, symbols, or practices that can be transmitted from one mind to another through writing, speech, gestures, rituals, or other imitable phenomena with a mimicked theme. Our lives all begin unknowingly as we arrived on this planet. We each interpret life in our unique way before life itself passes us. Our cosmopolitian lifestyle demands efficiency and professionalism, and as a result people have learned to cope with living under the stresses it brings while sacrificing some form of happiness. The sacrifices we make in order to fulfill our roles in this society are not justly rewarded. Regardless of your efforts, youre no match against the climb of housing prices in Hong Kong. Youre forced to live against a set of standards that might not be yours. So I had the idea of starting a space that is my own - a place that is right and brings joy. Work consumes a big part of our daily lives, and being creative brings me joy. A happy life requires us to cherish ourselves, to know one self, be kind and to like one self.

"Memes & Friends"?What kind of projects will Memes & Friends launch

Memes & FriendsprojectsMemes & FriendsFriends of Memes

Memes & Friends will for the time being focus on projects that have elements of design and self-help. We hope to share our joy from being creative through projects that explore issues related to living and life. Having a purpose in life requires us to learn how to understand and love ourselves. Alongside Memes & Friends, we have also established Friends of Memes, which will collaborate with creative minds from different backgrounds on various projects, products and exhibitions.

Do you agree with the saying artistic creation is lonely?

Artistic creation doesnt have to be lonely, but the creative process often is. Even if you are working within a creative team, you still need to focus on your own responsibilities. I think being completely focused is very close to loneliness.

dream jobWhat was your dream job as a kid? Is it true that you have been interested in graphic design since a young age?

dream job

Ha! I never dared to think of having a dream job as a child. I only knew that I didnt want to become a doctor, lawyer or businesswoman, but obviously I couldnt say this to an adult for fear of being lectured. I was only interested in creative works and animals. My first artistic exposure was music. Then came literature and film. It probably wasnt until high school before I fully understood the differences between art and design.

/With regards to your work, which portion or aspect do you enjoy most?

Finding that story about my subjects. Whether its a person, a product, or a brand... Even inanimate objects have stories behind them. All you need to do is find them and Ill use my own way to interpret them.

What would you do if a client requests for something thats not your style?

Unlike art, commercial design must cater to the subjects needs. I always stamp my style on the first draft. First drafts are always the best version for me. But I always follow that up with one that the subject wants, and another that is kind of an in-between. Art is about self-expression but commercial design is more about finding the right balance.

/Do you have a favourite artist or a particular piece of work that has had a profound influence on you?

Frida KahloBill Evans

Where do I begin? There are so many especially when you look around the world or even in terms of a particular period. My first lasting impact was probably Frida Kahlo. She made me think about the need for us to create. Bill Evans was another eye-opener for me and turned my world upside down later in life. I grew up as a classically-trained pianist, but I always felt classical music was pretty repressive and jazz cant be any further away on that scale. Id say pop music was my first taste of freedom. Rock & roll is like running naked on a prairie. Jazz can sweep me off the planet and electronica is my Space Odyssey.

Does music help you get into a creative mode more easily? If so, would you put on different music for different projects?

music playlist10Miles DavisKind Of Blue10NirvanaMTV Unplugged in New YorkThom Yorke

Music is a part of everyday life and my music playlist is set up according to my mood. I could have Miles Davis "Kind Of Blue" on repeat 10 times when Im happy. Angry times could be a 10 times repeat of Nirvanas "MTV Unplugged in New York" and Ill get Thom Yorke to take me to the moon when I am very tired.

?You love movies. So what is it that fascinates you so much about movies?

...... Birdmanimdb21Grams,Biutiful,Babel Birdmanspicy man50Alejandro Irritu

The most important element of a film is content. Films are different people telling stories in their own way. A good script is important too, then you need actors/actress, cinematography, visual and art direction, soundtrack, editing Telling a story in two hours is not an easy thing to do. I like to watch movies because I really enjoyed spending two hours experiencing someone elses life. I recently watched Birdman and when I was leaving the cinema, my other half was reading out Alejan-dro Irritus imdb page naming off 21grams, Biutiful, Babel... These were all my kind of films - heavy and depressing. In contrast, Birdman has an added element of humour. We watched an interview with Irritu when we got back where he said he was a spicy man, and now being a middle-aged 50 year old man, it's time for some dessert. I had an epiphany as long as one is still breathing, there is always a chance to change.

FilmspirationAbout Filmspiration, why did you choose those film posters to redesign?

Filmspiration

I had a period of very exhausting work and watching a film was a good way to treat myself when I got home. The Filmspira-tion posters were something I decided to do on a whim as a kind of self therapy. I really didnt spend too much time on it. There was no pressure to deliver and no one elses opinion to consider. It helped me to rediscover my joy of being creative again.

In general, where do you get your inspiration from?

Descartes

I think, therefore I am. to quote Descartes. Ideas will come to you when you have enough understanding about things.

"Memes & Friends"You recently set up a new studio Memes & Friends, can you tell me the idea behind this?

MemesMeme Richard Dawkins 1976The Selfish GeneMemeMeme

On the way home after attending a funeral one day, my other half said when the physical body dies, the person leaves behind memes that can be passed on by others. The word meme was coinded by Richard Dawkins, a British evolutionary biologist, animal behaviorists and science writer, in his 1976 book The Selfish Gene. A meme is an idea, behavior, or style that spreads from person to person within a culture. A meme acts as a unit for carrying cultural ideas, symbols, or practices that can be transmitted from one mind to another through writing, speech, gestures, rituals, or other imitable phenomena with a mimicked theme. Our lives all begin unknowingly as we arrived on this planet. We each interpret life in our unique way before life itself passes us. Our cosmopolitian lifestyle demands efficiency and professionalism, and as a result people have learned to cope with living under the stresses it brings while sacrificing some form of happiness. The sacrifices we make in order to fulfill our roles in this society are not justly rewarded. Regardless of your efforts, youre no match against the climb of housing prices in Hong Kong. Youre forced to live against a set of standards that might not be yours. So I had the idea of starting a space that is my own - a place that is right and brings joy. Work consumes a big part of our daily lives, and being creative brings me joy. A happy life requires us to cherish ourselves, to know one self, be kind and to like one self.

"Memes & Friends"?What kind of projects will Memes & Friends launch

Memes & FriendsprojectsMemes & FriendsFriends of Memes

Memes & Friends will for the time being focus on projects that have elements of design and self-help. We hope to share our joy from being creative through projects that explore issues related to living and life. Having a purpose in life requires us to learn how to understand and love ourselves. Alongside Memes & Friends, we have also established Friends of Memes, which will collaborate with creative minds from different backgrounds on various projects, products and exhibitions.

Do you agree with the saying artistic creation is lonely?

Artistic creation doesnt have to be lonely, but the creative process often is. Even if you are working within a creative team, you still need to focus on your own responsibilities. I think being completely focused is very close to loneliness.

dream jobWhat was your dream job as a kid? Is it true that you have been interested in graphic design since a young age?

dream job

Ha! I never dared to think of having a dream job as a child. I only knew that I didnt want to become a doctor, lawyer or businesswoman, but obviously I couldnt say this to an adult for fear of being lectured. I was only interested in creative works and animals. My first artistic exposure was music. Then came literature and film. It probably wasnt until high school before I fully understood the differences between art and design.

/With regards to your work, which portion or aspect do you enjoy most?

Finding that story about my subjects. Whether its a person, a product, or a brand... Even inanimate objects have stories behind them. All you need to do is find them and Ill use my own way to interpret them.

What would you do if a client requests for something thats not your style?

Unlike art, commercial design must cater to the subjects needs. I always stamp my style on the first draft. First drafts are always the best version for me. But I always follow that up with one that the subject wants, and another that is kind of an in-between. Art is about self-expression but commercial design is more about finding the right balance.

/Do you have a favourite artist or a particular piece of work that has had a profound influence on you?

Frida KahloBill Evans

Where do I begin? There are so many especially when you look around the world or even in terms of a particular period. My first lasting impact was probably Frida Kahlo. She made me think about the need for us to create. Bill Evans was another eye-opener for me and turned my world upside down later in life. I grew up as a classically-trained pianist, but I always felt classical music was pretty repressive and jazz cant be any further away on that scale. Id say pop music was my first taste of freedom. Rock & roll is like running naked on a prairie. Jazz can sweep me off the planet and electronica is my Space Odyssey.

Does music help you get into a creative mode more easily? If so, would you put on different music for different projects?

music playlist10Miles DavisKind Of Blue10NirvanaMTV Unplugged in New YorkThom Yorke

Music is a part of everyday life and my music playlist is set up according to my mood. I could have Miles Davis "Kind Of Blue" on repeat 10 times when Im happy. Angry times could be a 10 times repeat of Nirvanas "MTV Unplugged in New York" and Ill get Thom Yorke to take me to the moon when I am very tired.

?You love movies. So what is it that fascinates you so much about movies?

...... Birdmanimdb21Grams,Biutiful,Babel Birdmanspicy man50Alejandro Irritu

The most important element of a film is content. Films are different people telling stories in their own way. A good script is important too, then you need actors/actress, cinematography, visual and art direction, soundtrack, editing Telling a story in two hours is not an easy thing to do. I like to watch movies because I really enjoyed spending two hours experiencing someone elses life. I recently watched Birdman and when I was leaving the cinema, my other half was reading out Alejan-dro Irritus imdb page naming off 21grams, Biutiful, Babel... These were all my kind of films - heavy and depressing. In contrast, Birdman has an added element of humour. We watched an interview with Irritu when we got back where he said he was a spicy man, and now being a middle-aged 50 year old man, it's time for some dessert. I had an epiphany as long as one is still breathing, there is always a chance to change.

FilmspirationAbout Filmspiration, why did you choose those film posters to redesign?

Filmspiration

I had a period of very exhausting work and watching a film was a good way to treat myself when I got home. The Filmspira-tion posters were something I decided to do on a whim as a kind of self therapy. I really didnt spend too much time on it. There was no pressure to deliver and no one elses opinion to consider. It helped me to rediscover my joy of being creative again.

In general, where do you get your inspiration from?

Descartes

I think, therefore I am. to quote Descartes. Ideas will come to you when you have enough understanding about things.

"Memes & Friends"You recently set up a new studio Memes & Friends, can you tell me the idea behind this?

MemesMeme Richard Dawkins 1976The Selfish GeneMemeMeme

On the way home after attending a funeral one day, my other half said when the physical body dies, the person leaves behind memes that can be passed on by others. The word meme was coinded by Richard Dawkins, a British evolutionary biologist, animal behaviorists and science writer, in his 1976 book The Selfish Gene. A meme is an idea, behavior, or style that spreads from person to person within a culture. A meme acts as a unit for carrying cultural ideas, symbols, or practices that can be transmitted from one mind to another through writing, speech, gestures, rituals, or other imitable phenomena with a mimicked theme. Our lives all begin unknowingly as we arrived on this planet. We each interpret life in our unique way before life itself passes us. Our cosmopolitian lifestyle demands efficiency and professionalism, and as a result people have learned to cope with living under the stresses it brings while sacrificing some form of happiness. The sacrifices we make in order to fulfill our roles in this society are not justly rewarded. Regardless of your efforts, youre no match against the climb of housing prices in Hong Kong. Youre forced to live against a set of standards that might not be yours. So I had the idea of starting a space that is my own - a place that is right and brings joy. Work consumes a big part of our daily lives, and being creative brings me joy. A happy life requires us to cherish ourselves, to know one self, be kind and to like one self.

"Memes & Friends"?What kind of projects will Memes & Friends launch

Memes & FriendsprojectsMemes & FriendsFriends of Memes

Memes & Friends will for the time being focus on projects that have elements of design and self-help. We hope to share our joy from being creative through projects that explore issues related to living and life. Having a purpose in life requires us to learn how to understand and love ourselves. Alongside Memes & Friends, we have also established Friends of Memes, which will collaborate with creative minds from different backgrounds on various projects, products and exhibitions.

Do you agree with the saying artistic creation is lonely?

Artistic creation doesnt have to be lonely, but the creative process often is. Even if you are working within a creative team, you still need to focus on your own responsibilities. I think being completely focused is very close to loneliness.

dream jobWhat was your dream job as a kid? Is it true that you have been interested in graphic design since a young age?

dream job

Ha! I never dared to think of having a dream job as a child. I only knew that I didnt want to become a doctor, lawyer or businesswoman, but obviously I couldnt say this to an adult for fear of being lectured. I was only interested in creative works and animals. My first artistic exposure was music. Then came literature and film. It probably wasnt until high school before I fully understood the differences between art and design.

/With regards to your work, which portion or aspect do you enjoy most?

Finding that story about my subjects. Whether its a person, a product, or a brand... Even inanimate objects have stories behind them. All you need to do is find them and Ill use my own way to interpret them.

What would you do if a client requests for something thats not your style?

Unlike art, commercial design must cater to the subjects needs. I always stamp my style on the first draft. First drafts are always the best version for me. But I always follow that up with one that the subject wants, and another that is kind of an in-between. Art is about self-expression but commercial design is more about finding the right balance.

/Do you have a favourite artist or a particular piece of work that has had a profound influence on you?

Frida KahloBill Evans

Where do I begin? There are so many especially when you look around the world or even in terms of a particular period. My first lasting impact was probably Frida Kahlo. She made me think about the need for us to create. Bill Evans was another eye-opener for me and turned my world upside down later in life. I grew up as a classically-trained pianist, but I always felt classical music was pretty repressive and jazz cant be any further away on that scale. Id say pop music was my first taste of freedom. Rock & roll is like running naked on a prairie. Jazz can sweep me off the planet and electronica is my Space Odyssey.

Does music help you get into a creative mode more easily? If so, would you put on different music for different projects?

music playlist10Miles DavisKind Of Blue10NirvanaMTV Unplugged in New YorkThom Yorke

Music is a part of everyday life and my music playlist is set up according to my mood. I could have Miles Davis "Kind Of Blue" on repeat 10 times when Im happy. Angry times could be a 10 times repeat of Nirvanas "MTV Unplugged in New York" and Ill get Thom Yorke to take me to the moon when I am very tired.

?You love movies. So what is it that fascinates you so much about movies?

...... Birdmanimdb21Grams,Biutiful,Babel Birdmanspicy man50Alejandro Irritu

The most important element of a film is content. Films are different people telling stories in their own way. A good script is important too, then you need actors/actress, cinematography, visual and art direction, soundtrack, editing Telling a story in two hours is not an easy thing to do. I like to watch movies because I really enjoyed spending two hours experiencing someone elses life. I recently watched Birdman and when I was leaving the cinema, my other half was reading out Alejan-dro Irritus imdb page naming off 21grams, Biutiful, Babel... These were all my kind of films - heavy and depressing. In contrast, Birdman has an added element of humour. We watched an interview with Irritu when we got back where he said he was a spicy man, and now being a middle-aged 50 year old man, it's time for some dessert. I had an epiphany as long as one is still breathing, there is always a chance to change.

FilmspirationAbout Filmspiration, why did you choose those film posters to redesign?

Filmspiration

I had a period of very exhausting work and watching a film was a good way to treat myself when I got home. The Filmspira-tion posters were something I decided to do on a whim as a kind of self therapy. I really didnt spend too much time on it. There was no pressure to deliver and no one elses opinion to consider. It helped me to rediscover my joy of being creative again.

In general, where do you get your inspiration from?

Descartes

I think, therefore I am. to quote Descartes. Ideas will come to you when you have enough understanding about things.

INTERVIEW / FILMSPIRATION

"Memes & Friends"You recently set up a new studio Memes & Friends, can you tell me the idea behind this?

MemesMeme Richard Dawkins 1976The Selfish GeneMemeMeme

On the way home after attending a funeral one day, my other half said when the physical body dies, the person leaves behind memes that can be passed on by others. The word meme was coinded by Richard Dawkins, a British evolutionary biologist, animal behaviorists and science writer, in his 1976 book The Selfish Gene. A meme is an idea, behavior, or style that spreads from person to person within a culture. A meme acts as a unit for carrying cultural ideas, symbols, or practices that can be transmitted from one mind to another through writing, speech, gestures, rituals, or other imitable phenomena with a mimicked theme. Our lives all begin unknowingly as we arrived on this planet. We each interpret life in our unique way before life itself passes us. Our cosmopolitian lifestyle demands efficiency and professionalism, and as a result people have learned to cope with living under the stresses it brings while sacrificing some form of happiness. The sacrifices we make in order to fulfill our roles in this society are not justly rewarded. Regardless of your efforts, youre no match against the climb of housing prices in Hong Kong. Youre forced to live against a set of standards that might not be yours. So I had the idea of starting a space that is my own - a place that is right and brings joy. Work consumes a big part of our daily lives, and being creative brings me joy. A happy life requires us to cherish ourselves, to know one self, be kind and to like one self.

"Memes & Friends"?What kind of projects will Memes & Friends launch

Memes & FriendsprojectsMemes & FriendsFriends of Memes

Memes & Friends will for the time being focus on projects that have elements of design and self-help. We hope to share our joy from being creative through projects that explore issues related to living and life. Having a purpose in life requires us to learn how to understand and love ourselves. Alongside Memes & Friends, we have also established Friends of Memes, which will collaborate with creative minds from different backgrounds on various projects, products and exhibitions.

Do you agree with the saying artistic creation is lonely?

Artistic creation doesnt have to be lonely, but the creative process often is. Even if you are working within a creative team, you still need to focus on your own responsibilities. I think being completely focused is very close to loneliness.

FILMSPIRATION

dream jobWhat was your dream job as a kid? Is it true that you have been interested in graphic design since a young age?

dream job

Ha! I never dared to think of having a dream job as a child. I only knew that I didnt want to become a doctor, lawyer or businesswoman, but obviously I couldnt say this to an adult for fear of being lectured. I was only interested in creative works and animals. My first artistic exposure was music. Then came literature and film. It probably wasnt until high school before I fully understood the differences between art and design.

/With regards to your work, which portion or aspect do you enjoy most?

Finding that story about my subjects. Whether its a person, a product, or a brand... Even inanimate objects have stories behind them. All you need to do is find them and Ill use my own way to interpret them.

What would you do if a client requests for something thats not your style?

Unlike art, commercial design must cater to the subjects needs. I always stamp my style on the first draft. First drafts are always the best version for me. But I always follow that up with one that the subject wants, and another that is kind of an in-between. Art is about self-expression but commercial design is more about finding the right balance.

/Do you have a favourite artist or a particular piece of work that has had a profound influence on you?

Frida KahloBill Evans

Where do I begin? There are so many especially when you look around the world or even in terms of a particular period. My first lasting impact was probably Frida Kahlo. She made me think about the need for us to create. Bill Evans was another eye-opener for me and turned my world upside down later in life. I grew up as a classically-trained pianist, but I always felt classical music was pretty repressive and jazz cant be any further away on that scale. Id say pop music was my first taste of freedom. Rock & roll is like running naked on a prairie. Jazz can sweep me off the planet and electronica is my Space Odyssey.

Does music help you get into a creative mode more easily? If so, would you put on different music for different projects?

music playlist10Miles DavisKind Of Blue10NirvanaMTV Unplugged in New YorkThom Yorke

Music is a part of everyday life and my music playlist is set up according to my mood. I could have Miles Davis "Kind Of Blue" on repeat 10 times when Im happy. Angry times could be a 10 times repeat of Nirvanas "MTV Unplugged in New York" and Ill get Thom Yorke to take me to the moon when I am very tired.

?You love movies. So what is it that fascinates you so much about movies?

...... Birdmanimdb21Grams,Biutiful,Babel Birdmanspicy man50Alejandro Irritu

The most important element of a film is content. Films are different people telling stories in their own way. A good script is important too, then you need actors/actress, cinematography, visual and art direction, soundtrack, editing Telling a story in two hours is not an easy thing to do. I like to watch movies because I really enjoyed spending two hours experiencing someone elses life. I recently watched Birdman and when I was leaving the cinema, my other half was reading out Alejan-dro Irritus imdb page naming off 21grams, Biutiful, Babel... These were all my kind of films - heavy and depressing. In contrast, Birdman has an added element of humour. We watched an interview with Irritu when we got back where he said he was a spicy man, and now being a middle-aged 50 year old man, it's time for some dessert. I had an epiphany as long as one is still breathing, there is always a chance to change.

FilmspirationAbout Filmspiration, why did you choose those film posters to redesign?

Filmspiration

I had a period of very exhausting work and watching a film was a good way to treat myself when I got home. The Filmspira-tion posters were something I decided to do on a whim as a kind of self therapy. I really didnt spend too much time on it. There was no pressure to deliver and no one elses opinion to consider. It helped me to rediscover my joy of being creative again.

In general, where do you get your inspiration from?

Descartes

I think, therefore I am. to quote Descartes. Ideas will come to you when you have enough understanding about things.

INTERVIEW / FILMSPIRATION

"Memes & Friends"You recently set up a new studio Memes & Friends, can you tell me the idea behind this?

MemesMeme Richard Dawkins 1976The Selfish GeneMemeMeme

On the way home after attending a funeral one day, my other half said when the physical body dies, the person leaves behind memes that can be passed on by others. The word meme was coinded by Richard Dawkins, a British evolutionary biologist, animal behaviorists and science writer, in his 1976 book The Selfish Gene. A meme is an idea, behavior, or style that spreads from person to person within a culture. A meme acts as a unit for carrying cultural ideas, symbols, or practices that can be transmitted from one mind to another through writing, speech, gestures, rituals, or other imitable phenomena with a mimicked theme. Our lives all begin unknowingly as we arrived on this planet. We each interpret life in our unique way before life itself passes us. Our cosmopolitian lifestyle demands efficiency and professionalism, and as a result people have learned to cope with living under the stresses it brings while sacrificing some form of happiness. The sacrifices we make in order to fulfill our roles in this society are not justly rewarded. Regardless of your efforts, youre no match against the climb of housing prices in Hong Kong. Youre forced to live against a set of standards that might not be yours. So I had the idea of starting a space that is my own - a place that is right and brings joy. Work consumes a big part of our daily lives, and being creative brings me joy. A happy life requires us to cherish ourselves, to know one self, be kind and to like one self.

"Memes & Friends"?What kind of projects will Memes & Friends launch

Memes & FriendsprojectsMemes & FriendsFriends of Memes

Memes & Friends will for the time being focus on projects that have elements of design and self-help. We hope to share our joy from being creative through projects that explore issues related to living and life. Having a purpose in life requires us to learn how to understand and love ourselves. Alongside Memes & Friends, we have also established Friends of Memes, which will collaborate with creative minds from different backgrounds on various projects, products and exhibitions.

Do you agree with the saying artistic creation is lonely?

Artistic creation doesnt have to be lonely, but the creative process often is. Even if you are working within a creative team, you still need to focus on your own responsibilities. I think being completely focused is very close to loneliness.

dream jobWhat was your dream job as a kid? Is it true that you have been interested in graphic design since a young age?

dream job

Ha! I never dared to think of having a dream job as a child. I only knew that I didnt want to become a doctor, lawyer or businesswoman, but obviously I couldnt say this to an adult for fear of being lectured. I was only interested in creative works and animals. My first artistic exposure was music. Then came literature and film. It probably wasnt until high school before I fully understood the differences between art and design.

/With regards to your work, which portion or aspect do you enjoy most?

Finding that story about my subjects. Whether its a person, a product, or a brand... Even inanimate objects have stories behind them. All you need to do is find them and Ill use my own way to interpret them.

What would you do if a client requests for something thats not your style?

Unlike art, commercial design must cater to the subjects needs. I always stamp my style on the first draft. First drafts are always the best version for me. But I always follow that up with one that the subject wants, and another that is kind of an in-between. Art is about self-expression but commercial design is more about finding the right balance.

/Do you have a favourite artist or a particular piece of work that has had a profound influence on you?

Frida KahloBill Evans

Where do I begin? There are so many especially when you look around the world or even in terms of a particular period. My first lasting impact was probably Frida Kahlo. She made me think about the need for us to create. Bill Evans was another eye-opener for me and turned my world upside down later in life. I grew up as a classically-trained pianist, but I always felt classical music was pretty repressive and jazz cant be any further away on that scale. Id say pop music was my first taste of freedom. Rock & roll is like running naked on a prairie. Jazz can sweep me off the planet and electronica is my Space Odyssey.

Does music help you get into a creative mode more easily? If so, would you put on different music for different projects?

music playlist10Miles DavisKind Of Blue10NirvanaMTV Unplugged in New YorkThom Yorke

Music is a part of everyday life and my music playlist is set up according to my mood. I could have Miles Davis "Kind Of Blue" on repeat 10 times when Im happy. Angry times could be a 10 times repeat of Nirvanas "MTV Unplugged in New York" and Ill get Thom Yorke to take me to the moon when I am very tired.

?You love movies. So what is it that fascinates you so much about movies?

...... Birdmanimdb21Grams,Biutiful,Babel Birdmanspicy man50Alejandro Irritu

The most important element of a film is content. Films are different people telling stories in their own way. A good script is important too, then you need actors/actress, cinematography, visual and art direction, soundtrack, editing Telling a story in two hours is not an easy thing to do. I like to watch movies because I really enjoyed spending two hours experiencing someone elses life. I recently watched Birdman and when I was leaving the cinema, my other half was reading out Alejan-dro Irritus imdb page naming off 21grams, Biutiful, Babel... These were all my kind of films - heavy and depressing. In contrast, Birdman has an added element of humour. We watched an interview with Irritu when we got back where he said he was a spicy man, and now being a middle-aged 50 year old man, it's time for some dessert. I had an epiphany as long as one is still breathing, there is always a chance to change.

FilmspirationAbout Filmspiration, why did you choose those film posters to redesign?

Filmspiration

I had a period of very exhausting work and watching a film was a good way to treat myself when I got home. The Filmspira-tion posters were something I decided to do on a whim as a kind of self therapy. I really didnt spend too much time on it. There was no pressure to deliver and no one elses opinion to consider. It helped me to rediscover my joy of being creative again.

In general, where do you get your inspiration from?

Descartes

I think, therefore I am. to quote Descartes. Ideas will come to you when you have enough understanding about things.

"Memes & Friends"You recently set up a new studio Memes & Friends, can you tell me the idea behind this?

MemesMeme Richard Dawkins 1976The Selfish GeneMemeMeme

On the way home after attending a funeral one day, my other half said when the physical body dies, the person leaves behind memes that can be passed on by others. The word meme was coinded by Richard Dawkins, a British evolutionary biologist, animal behaviorists and science writer, in his 1976 book The Selfish Gene. A meme is an idea, behavior, or style that spreads from person to person within a culture. A meme acts as a unit for carrying cultural ideas, symbols, or practices that can be transmitted from one mind to another through writing, speech, gestures, rituals, or other imitable phenomena with a mimicked theme. Our lives all begin unknowingly as we arrived on this planet. We each interpret life in our unique way before life itself passes us. Our cosmopolitian lifestyle demands efficiency and professionalism, and as a result people have learned to cope with living under the stresses it brings while sacrificing some form of happiness. The sacrifices we make in order to fulfill our roles in this society are not justly rewarded. Regardless of your efforts, youre no match against the climb of housing prices in Hong Kong. Youre forced to live against a set of standards that might not be yours. So I had the idea of starting a space that is my own - a place that is right and brings joy. Work consumes a big part of our daily lives, and being creative brings me joy. A happy life requires us to cherish ourselves, to know one self, be kind and to like one self.

"Memes & Friends"?What kind of projects will Memes & Friends launch

Memes & FriendsprojectsMemes & FriendsFriends of Memes

Memes & Friends will for the time being focus on projects that have elements of design and self-help. We hope to share our joy from being creative through projects that explore issues related to living and life. Having a purpose in life requires us to learn how to understand and love ourselves. Alongside Memes & Friends, we have also established Friends of Memes, which will collaborate with creative minds from different backgrounds on various projects, products and exhibitions.

Do you agree with the saying artistic creation is lonely?

Artistic creation doesnt have to be lonely, but the creative process often is. Even if you are working within a creative team, you still need to focus on your own responsibilities. I think being completely focused is very close to loneliness.

Playtime | Jacques Tati | 1967 The Fall | Tarsem Singh | 2006Little Miss Sunshine | Jonathan Dayton & Valerie Faris | 2006Blow-up| Michelangelo Antonioni| 1966

Lon: The Professional | Luc Besson | 1994Beginners | Mike Mills | 2010

Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind | Michel Gondry | 2004Enter The Void | Gaspar No | 2009

FILMSPIRATION

dream jobWhat was your dream job as a kid? Is it true that you have been interested in graphic design since a young age?

dream job

Ha! I never dared to think of having a dream job as a child. I only knew that I didnt want to become a doctor, lawyer or businesswoman, but obviously I couldnt say this to an adult for fear of being lectured. I was only interested in creative works and animals. My first artistic exposure was music. Then came literature and film. It probably wasnt until high school before I fully understood the differences between art and design.

/With regards to your work, which portion or aspect do you enjoy most?

Finding that story about my subjects. Whether its a person, a product, or a brand... Even inanimate objects have stories behind them. All you need to do is find them and Ill use my own way to interpret them.

What would you do if a client requests for something thats not your style?

Unlike art, commercial design must cater to the subjects needs. I always stamp my style on the first draft. First drafts are always the best version for me. But I always follow that up with one that the subject wants, and another that is kind of an in-between. Art is about self-expression but commercial design is more about finding the right balance.

/Do you have a favourite artist or a particular piece of work that has had a profound influence on you?

Frida KahloBill Evans

Where do I begin? There are so many especially when you look around the world or even in terms of a particular period. My first lasting impact was probably Frida Kahlo. She made me think about the need for us to create. Bill Evans was another eye-opener for me and turned my world upside down later in life. I grew up as a classically-trained pianist, but I always felt classical music was pretty repressive and jazz cant be any further away on that scale. Id say pop music was my first taste of freedom. Rock & roll is like running naked on a prairie. Jazz can sweep me off the planet and electronica is my Space Odyssey.

Does music help you get into a creative mode more easily? If so, would you put on different music for different projects?

music playlist10Miles DavisKind Of Blue10NirvanaMTV Unplugged in New YorkThom Yorke

Music is a part of everyday life and my music playlist is set up according to my mood. I could have Miles Davis "Kind Of Blue" on repeat 10 times when Im happy. Angry times could be a 10 times repeat of Nirvanas "MTV Unplugged in New York" and Ill get Thom Yorke to take me to the moon when I am very tired.

?You love movies. So what is it that fascinates you so much about movies?

...... Birdmanimdb21Grams,Biutiful,Babel Birdmanspicy man50Alejandro Irritu

The most important element of a film is content. Films are different people telling stories in their own way. A good script is important too, then you need actors/actress, cinematography, visual and art direction, soundtrack, editing Telling a story in two hours is not an easy thing to do. I like to watch movies because I really enjoyed spending two hours experiencing someone elses life. I recently watched Birdman and when I was leaving the cinema, my other half was reading out Alejan-dro Irritus imdb page naming off 21grams, Biutiful, Babel... These were all my kind of films - heavy and depressing. In contrast, Birdman has an added element of humour. We watched an interview with Irritu when we got back where he said he was a spicy man, and now being a middle-aged 50 year old man, it's time for some dessert. I had an epiphany as long as one is still breathing, there is always a chance to change.

FilmspirationAbout Filmspiration, why did you choose those film posters to redesign?

Filmspiration

I had a period of very exhausting work and watching a film was a good way to treat myself when I got home. The Filmspira-tion posters were something I decided to do on a whim as a kind of self therapy. I really didnt spend too much time on it. There was no pressure to deliver and no one elses opinion to consider. It helped me to rediscover my joy of being creative again.

In general, where do you get your inspiration from?

Descartes

I think, therefore I am. to quote Descartes. Ideas will come to you when you have enough understanding about things.

INTERVIEW / FILMSPIRATION

"Memes & Friends"You recently set up a new studio Memes & Friends, can you tell me the idea behind this?

MemesMeme Richard Dawkins 1976The Selfish GeneMemeMeme

On the way home after attending a funeral one day, my other half said when the physical body dies, the person leaves behind memes that can be passed on by others. The word meme was coinded by Richard Dawkins, a British evolutionary biologist, animal behaviorists and science writer, in his 1976 book The Selfish Gene. A meme is an idea, behavior, or style that spreads from person to person within a culture. A meme acts as a unit for carrying cultural ideas, symbols, or practices that can be transmitted from one mind to another through writing, speech, gestures, rituals, or other imitable phenomena with a mimicked theme. Our lives all begin unknowingly as we arrived on this planet. We each interpret life in our unique way before life itself passes us. Our cosmopolitian lifestyle demands efficiency and professionalism, and as a result people have learned to cope with living under the stresses it brings while sacrificing some form of happiness. The sacrifices we make in order to fulfill our roles in this society are not justly rewarded. Regardless of your efforts, youre no match against the climb of housing prices in Hong Kong. Youre forced to live against a set of standards that might not be yours. So I had the idea of starting a space that is my own - a place that is right and brings joy. Work consumes a big part of our daily lives, and being creative brings me joy. A happy life requires us to cherish ourselves, to know one self, be kind and to like one self.

"Memes & Friends"?What kind of projects will Memes & Friends launch

Memes & FriendsprojectsMemes & FriendsFriends of Memes

Memes & Friends will for the time being focus on projects that have elements of design and self-help. We hope to share our joy from being creative through projects that explore issues related to living and life. Having a purpose in life requires us to learn how to understand and love ourselves. Alongside Memes & Friends, we have also established Friends of Memes, which will collaborate with creative minds from different backgrounds on various projects, products and exhibitions.

Do you agree with the saying artistic creation is lonely?

Artistic creation doesnt have to be lonely, but the creative process often is. Even if you are working within a creative team, you still need to focus on your own responsibilities. I think being completely focused is very close to loneliness.

dream jobWhat was your dream job as a kid? Is it true that you have been interested in graphic design since a young age?

dream job

Ha! I never dared to think of having a dream job as a child. I only knew that I didnt want to become a doctor, lawyer or businesswoman, but obviously I couldnt say this to an adult for fear of being lectured. I was only interested in creative works and animals. My first artistic exposure was music. Then came literature and film. It probably wasnt until high school before I fully understood the differences between art and design.

/With regards to your work, which portion or aspect do you enjoy most?

Finding that story about my subjects. Whether its a person, a product, or a brand... Even inanimate objects have stories behind them. All you need to do is find them and Ill use my own way to interpret them.

What would you do if a client requests for something thats not your style?

Unlike art, commercial design must cater to the subjects needs. I always stamp my style on the first draft. First drafts are always the best version for me. But I always follow that up with one that the subject wants, and another that is kind of an in-between. Art is about self-expression but commercial design is more about finding the right balance.

/Do you have a favourite artist or a particular piece of work that has had a profound influence on you?

Frida KahloBill Evans

Where do I begin? There are so many especially when you look around the world or even in terms of a particular period. My first lasting impact was probably Frida Kahlo. She made me think about the need for us to create. Bill Evans was another eye-opener for me and turned my world upside down later in life. I grew up as a classically-trained pianist, but I always felt classical music was pretty repressive and jazz cant be any further away on that scale. Id say pop music was my first taste of freedom. Rock & roll is like runn